Dynasty Shopping Mall Part One (Quarterbacks)

Posted 8/22 by Jeff Tefertiller, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

Just like any other shopping mall, this will have different products at different levels of quality and price. We will shop around at different stores like Bloomingdales, Macy's, Sears, even the Dollar Store and look for products to buy. The focus will be on value. Many times the expensive products are worth the price. Some times they are not. We will examine opportunities to buy at a reasonable price compared to value. The products we are purchasing are fantasy players for our dynasty team. This is the first article in the series and will be on quarterbacks who will be free agents next offseason. This is the time to buy. Let's remember Chester Taylor. Two years ago, you could have bought him very cheap or picked him up off of the waiver wire. Last year, he was a pretty good back with very high value considering the price paid originally for him a year earlier.

There are several high profile, and under the radar, quarterbacks slated for free agency in 2008. Below is a list of the ones to consider buying this offseason:

Tony Romo

I know the Cowboys said they wanted to extend Romo earlier this offseason, but it did not happen. A deal could be reached during the season. It is very important for the Cowboys to come to terms with the young passer considering they passed on Brady Quinn in the 2007 draft. Many think that Romo will get a hefty deal; similar to the one Marc Bulger received, if he is to reach an agreement with the Cowboys.

Outlook: Top 10 finish with the quality receivers. The future does not look as bright as 2007 considering the ages of Owens and Glenn.
Store: Macy's. Romo is not an elite passer but will still be pretty expensive.
Price: 2008 1st round pick or package including a top prospect.
Recommendation: Let someone else pay that price.

Byron Leftwich

Leftwich has produced at a high level when healthy. He is a huge quarterback at 6'5", 240 lbs. Byron is only twenty-seven years old. When the Jaguars were pursuing Daunte Culpepper, many took that as a sign that Leftwich would not be re-signed. They were right. But, Leftwich has produced. He was a top passer in 2006 before injury. He does get the injury-prone label, and has averaged only eleven and a half games played a year over his four-year career.

Outlook: Will be playing somewhere else in 2008 most likely and needs to prove he can stay healthy.
Store: J.C. Penney. Like the clothes at Penney's, Leftwich has a look and feel like the real thing, the cool and in-crowd wardrobe. But, he is like getting a shirt with a "tiger" as the logo and not the "alligator".
Price: At least a 2008 2nd round pick or very good prospect. Some Leftwich owners like him a ton and he will not be cheap for a young passer who has not shown himself to be able to stay healthy.
Recommendation: Let someone else pay full price for Leftwich. If he gets injured in 2007, not that it is a stretch, then the lower price will be worth it. The Jaguar receiver situation is a mess right now. It needs to sort itself out for Leftwich to produce top numbers and earn a starting job in 2008. Leftwich has much to prove in 2007.

Rex Grossman

Rex had a roller coaster year in 2006 and still finished as QB15. It was his first year playing for more than quarter of the season. While he had some growing pains, this year could be much better. The Bears and Grossman are prepared to go into the 2007 season without a contract in place and will revisit the issue next offseason.

Outlook: Repeat of 2006 season and finish around QB15.
Store: Sears. Grossman will be much cheaper than other quarterbacks with similar production. Young, top 15 throwers usually are expensive.
Price: 2008 2nd round pick or midrange prospect.
Recommendation: Buy now in every league with the hope of striking gold. This could be the last offseason you can buy him cheap.

Daunte Culpepper

Culpepper signed a one-year contract with the Oakland Raiders after being released from the Miami Dolphins. He has the opportunity with high profile rookie, JaMarcus Russell, still holding out. Culpepper claims he is healthy and he has this year to prove it. The veteran passer signed a cheap contract for only one year in an attempt to sign a big contract with another team next offseason.

Outlook: Will compete with Josh McCown to the start for the Raiders in 2007 until Russell gets signed and up to speed. He is not in the long-term plans of the Raiders.
Store: Brookstone. He is like the cool gadgets and toys in the store that you take home and have no need for or desire to play with as one or two days pass. He will be a fantasy tease.
Price: 2008 2nd rounder or mid-level prospect.
Recommendation: Let someone else pay the price. I doubt Culpepper gets back to fantasy relevance. He will be a fantasy tease. Let him tease someone else.

Kyle Boller

Boller has not played much the last year or so, especially with the addition of Steve McNair to the Ravens. It has already been reported that he will not be back with the Ravens in 2008. Kyle Boller has to be classified as a disappointment thus far in his career after being selected with the nineteenth pick of the first round in the 2003 NFL Draft. To many, he will always be a flop, but there is a chance he can improve in a new situation.

Outlook: The Ravens drafted Troy Smith, the Heisman Trophy winner, to replace Boller as the young, developmental passer behind Steve McNair. He is only 26 years old, and has good size and a big arm.
Store: Dollar Store. He is available on the waiver wire in almost every league. Too many owners have given up and forgotten about Kyle Boller.
Price: One blind bid waiver dollar or free in first come, first serve waivers.
Recommendation: If you play in a league with at least twenty-five roster spots, or more, and want to take a chance at a potential starting quarterback, stash Boller on your roster. McNair is not getting any younger and Boller would play if the veteran were injured. Kyle Boller has only played in forty-one games over his career. It is too early to write him off.

There are other quarterbacks to consider. Below are three to watch this season and pick up if the opportunity presents itself:

Seneca Wallace: Versatile quarterback that could be a multidimensional fit in the right offense.
Cleo Lemon: He is the backup quarterback to the aging Trent Green. The Dolphins may even let Lemon compete for the starting job. The twenty-eight year old passer has only thirty-eight career completions. But, many have been high on him while he was in Miami or San Diego. Also, former offensive coordinator in Chargerland, Cam Cameron, is now the Dolphin head coach so anything is possible.
Quinn Gray: The twenty-eight year old has only played in three games in his career. Gray should only be considered in very deep leagues. But, he could surprise in 2008. Quinn did play very well in relief of David Garrard in the final game of 2006.

Each team in each league is different. Not every team is in a position to acquire a player this year in hopes of cashing in next year. But, if you have a team where this is possible, you might consider trading for Grossman or picking Boller up off of the waiver wire. The next installment of this series will examine running backs who will be free agents in 2008.